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Phuket
Island
Phuket Island, frequently called the Pearl of the South
is the largest island in Thailand and is large enough
to be a province on its own. A mountain chain bisects
the island north to south. On the western side lie the
dazzling white beaches of Bang Tao, Patong, Kamala,
Karon, Kata and Nai Harn with all manner of resort accomodations.
Rounding Cape Prom Thep at the southernmost point you
encounter the working beach of Rawai where the longtails,
speedboats and some fishing boats anchor.
Coming up the sheltered eastern coast first is Chalong
Bay where many yachts berth, then on up to Phuket Bay
where the pier from which you catch the ferries to destinations
within Phang Nga Bay is located. Phuket Town is also
located in this bay. Heading further north up the eastern
side of the island are Sapam and Po Bays, anchorage
for many yatchts. Form this side, looking east you see
many of the islands for which Phang Nga Bay is noted.The
island is bisected north to south by highway 402. You
can drive around the island on a circular route from
Thalang south through Phuket Town, around Rawai and
up the west coast with intersecting roads across the
mountains.
Chalong
Chalong is the main gateway to the southern end of the
island. Form Chalong Circle five roads lead out: north
to Phuket Town via ChaoFa Rd East and northwest to Phuket
Town via ChapFa Rd which goes past Wat Chalong; east
to Chalong Bay, south to Rawai and Nai Harn, and west
across the mountains to Kata/Karon. There is a main
pier Chalong, although it is currently under major construction
acts as well as an Immigration Check-point for incoming
yachts. Many of the dive operators depart from here,
heading out to open water with their student divers.
Chalong is the centre for many of the resident ex-pats
on the island and has the flavour of a combination Thai-European
village. Some of the best seafood on the island is to
be found in restaurnts. There's a local morning market.
And in the evening, near the circle, is a vendor market
featuring all sorts of curries and Thai foods. Local
buses heading to all points of the southern end of Phuket
pass around the nearby is a motorcycle taxi stand.
Kamala/Surin
The amazing theme park Phuket FantaSea is located at
kamala Beach. an experience you won't want to miss.
There's a nine-hole golf course at Surin Beach where
sunset golf can be a one-in-a-lifetime event. Surin
Beach has a very strong undertow and it is not recommended
for swimming. Kamala Beach is relatively undeveloped
and has more of a Thai village atmosphere
than many of the other beaches.
Nai Harn
Nai Harn Beach, home to the Phuket Yacht Club, is a
secluded area near the tip of the island and is home
to many of the ex-pat residents. During monsoon season
swimming can be dangerous here as there is a steep drop-off
close to shore and a strong undertow. There are some
great little eateries tucked away near the beach. The
sunset view from Prom Thep is spectacular.
Bang Tao
Bang Tao lies between Kamala/Surin to the south and
Nai Ying to the north and is where some of the most
luxurious resorts on Phuket are located. The winding
road through here is beautiful: lined with trees and
flowers, passing canals and along the sea.
There are many upscale sports and health facilities
in this area including a riding club, a golf course
(Banyan Tree), herbal spas and a skills challenge course
(The Quest). You don't have to be a guest at one of
the resorts to enjoy indulging in many of the facilities.
And the scenic drive is free!
Nai yang
Nai Yang Beach, combined with Mai Khao Beach to the
north, is the longest stretch of sandy beach on the
island, covering 9km. It is here the giant sea turtles
who, throughout the dry season, October through February,
come ashore to lay their eggs. One of the activities
of the Songkhran Featival in April is to release turtles
back to the sea. There is great swimming and snorkelling
along this beach with access to Phuket Camp ground and
Nai Yang National Park. There's great golfing east at
Blue Canyon Golf Club and the airport is out this way
too.
Rawai
Rawai Beach lies around Cape Prom Thep from Nai Harn
and is a working beach. Here you will find traditional
longtail boats and modern speedboats for hire. Also
along here are many Thai beach restaurants where you
sit on mats along the water's edge eating grilled chicken,
fish, clams and mussels, whatever's the fresh catch
of the day. On the weekends many of the local Thais
come here to picnic and vendors roam up and down, selling
everything from sausages and dried squid to ice cream,
fresh fruit, sodas and shaved ice treats. At the east
end of this are a number of shops selling sea shells
and other tourist items. A sea gypsy village is located
at the east end but it is not recommended to visit these
people who are in the process of being supplanted by
tourism. A couple of hotels and bungalow resort are
found along Rawai with their accompanying restaurants.
A beach and town with something for everyone
Not so long ago, less than 15 years in fact, Patong
was a quiet Muslim fishing village. Today the mosques
are tucked behind the numerous buildings that crowd
Patong, hotels, restaurants, street stalls, food shopping
centres, bars and clubs. The 6km long, white sand beach
itself, during the rainy season, is empty of its colourful
umbrellas and is buffeted by big waves. Watch for the
red flags for they warn of dangerous swimming conditions.
But there's still plenty of opportunity to achieve that
perfect suntan- it doesn't rain all the time!
Patong's eateries continue open, offering just about
every ethnic flavour you can imagine. There are high
cost estaslishments right down to Thai food stalls and
roadside noodle stands. Seafood, naturally, is served
in many ways and many styles. It's an exhilarating experience
to sit, enjoying a delicious meal, while watching the
lightning flashes illuminate the turbulent sea.
Hotels, resorts,and bungalows all drop their prices
during rainy season so it's a bargain time of year in
Phuket. The pace is generally slower.
For nightlife,Patong is known as Party Central. There
is everything from pubs and discos to jazz, cocktail
lounges and Go-Go bars.
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